Monday, February 16, 2015

If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me/us how the transition went from one kid to two and how we parent differently I'd be able to buy myself something super cute. But seriously, I asked other Moms and Moms ask me. So since I haven't blogged in an eternity I thought "whyyyy not". And if this blog is nothing else, it's a journal of this time in our lives and if not a single person reads it, when this time is long gone...it will be the place I come back to, to remember what was.

Adam and I were babies when we had Aidan. Well it felt like we were anyways. We were the first to have kids in our group of immediate friends and family. We spent a lot of time feeling like we were truly figuring it out for ourselves. With the exception of my parents to bounce things off of, who hadn't had a child in OH 25 years...we didn't know if we were doing things right or wrong because there was nothing to compare it to. But it was way back then that we became a TEAM.

Aidan was the easiest baby. Thank GOD. But we learned everything, together. It was almost five years of complete bliss. Then we thought "this kid is pretty cool, lets have another". So we added maternity coverage to our insurance plan and 3.5 weeks later I was pregnant. Yup, that fast.

We all know there is no way to prepare for another person being in your life until they are here. Well there is no way to shake up a household like adding another baby to the mix. Kellan came and shit got real. Someone is going to hate me for saying this but I have to be completely honest. Having one child compared to two felt like a hobby. We had some trying months. Trying is putting it lightly. To be even more honest, it wasn't just the new baby but life and work and marriage and a big ole' hot mess here in the Harvey house until about four months in. Then the waves start to turn in to ripples and eventually we were all good again.

And good again turned in to us being in the best place we've ever been as a couple, as parents...as this well oiled machine we have going here now. And so these are the things that work for us...

-I am absolutely writing about this first because I think it is the single post important thing to keeping a family thriving. Every single night we put the kids to bed at the same time together and we have TIME TO OURSELVES. Our friends hear Aidan call it "adult time" and he knows if anything comes between Mommy and Daddy and "adult time"...things are going to get shady. We spend time watching our TV shows, a movie, talking about our days, online shopping away our savings, occasionally tip toeing in to the kids rooms to kiss them one more time but we do it together and that time is essential. We go to bed together. No one stays up with out the other. It has been that way our entire relationship.

-There is no such thing as my job/your job. We both can do everything therefore we do. Adam probably changes more diapers but I do more homework with Aidan. No one feels like the other person is doing more.

-Schedules. Real life is incredibly mundane. Mon-Fri our days all look a lot alike. We combat the witching hour with a family walk or a trip to get ice cream/iced coffees (we honestly eat a ton of ice cream right before dinner) or an early bath time.

-We spend time with each child individually. On the weekdays I put Kellan down for a nap when Aidan gets home from school so that he can have some down time and we can get homework done and just spend some time together. We also let him stay up a little later on the weekends to watch a movie with us or do things we did when it was just the three amigos. When Aidan is at school Kellan gets extra attention. We go to story time or meet friends with kids his age for a play date. Aidan thrives well on individual attention from Adam (every one's fave around here) so we make sure he gets that in during the week too. At the same time we are really aware that its OK that Aidan had a sibling and things were a little shaken up. That's life. He isn't the first or the last kid to get a brother. Everyone is going to turn out just fine.

That's it.

And you know what is the best about the whole thing? We don't feel like we need to get away from our kids. Do we have days? Of course. But in general. And that was something that was important to us. When we sat down and talked out what we really wanted life to look like with two kids (and more kids someday, hopefully) we both said we wanted to truly enjoy them. Because otherwise what's the point? In the beginning of life with one more there was a lot of Adam not wanting to come home because it was a mess. And I got it. I totally got it because when he got home I wanted to leave. But he showed up and I stayed because we committed to these children together and we're a team. High five emoji.

Most random photo ever of the Brothers Harvey. Their own little tag team.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

I truly look forward to Fall because it's the start of a season full of our family traditions.

As much time as Adam spends rolling his eyes at me while lugging pumpkins in the seventy degree heat, uphill...he looks forward to it every year as well.

We've been taking Aidan to pick pumpkins at the same farm in Mooresville for 8 years and I feel like we have it down to a science now.

I can remember walking through the patch in years past and wondering if the next year we would have a new baby with us. And now it's been two years since Kellan has joined us and my heart still wants to jump out of my chest when I see the two of them picking pumpkins together. Adam doesn't mind one bit he has more to carry.

Aidan has been really under the weather this weekend but after being rained out last weekend, he had been dying to go this weekend. So when he rolled out of bed with a slight fever and a bit of a cough, I just figured we could always turn the car around if we got there and he wasn't up for it. A little fresh air is just what he needed.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

I was always so nervous starting a new school year. Afraid I had forgotten a school supply, wouldn't be able to find my classroom, that I wouldn't have any friends.

Being a kid is scary sometimes. To venture out away from Mom and Dad and figure it all out on your own. I remember those days.

It's might be just as scary being a parent. Watching your baby walk through the front doors of school and praying you'll find that classroom and that you'll make tons of friends. I hope learning comes easy and you pay attention.

I had set myself up for a rocky start to the school year because you were so unsure when you started Kindergarten. But you rolled out of bed, rushed to get dressed and out the door and when I pulled up to school, you didn't want me to park and walk you in. You said to get in the carpool line. I barely got a kiss as you jumped out of the car. I'm so proud of you Aidan. So proud that you have a big heart. Proud that you put yourself out there. Proud that you are already braver most days than I have ever been. I'm proud I get to be your Mom. I can't say this enough. Your journey in this world is so important to me. For Daddy and I to get to see you grow is the biggest gift we've ever been given. Thank you for letting us love you through it all. You are so special to us. Cheers to First Grade!Love, Mom and Dad

Thursday, May 22, 2014

In 5 short days my first baby is going to be 7 on the 7th! I've been a Mom for 7 years! That's bonkers to me! These years have FLOWN by! We've had so much fun.

We are celebrating his birthday by having a big bash at Bank of American Stadium. Home of the Carolina Panthers.

Adam and I sat down and thought out loud about our 7 Favorite Things We Love About Aidan...

(In no particular order)

1. He's laid back. Go with the flow is a good mantra for him. He can and will do whatever.

2. He wants to be everything when he grows up. And he reminds me daily there is nothing I can do about it.

3. He's incredibly artistic. He has dozens of journals, notebooks, index cards that he draws on daily. He draws pictures for everyone.

(This is a drawing of me from Mother's Day)

4. He's crazy about his baby brother. We do not force Aidan and Kellan's relationship at all. Even at 5.5 years apart they play together and get along far better than we could have even hoped. He's very vocal about how happy he is he has a brother.

5. He's comfortable in his own skin. Aidan is what he is and he never apologizes for it.

6. He's a lover. He responds well to hugs and kisses and lots of snuggles from anyone. But especially his parents and brother and my parents. You can find him curled up in his Daddy's arms most days and he loves to climb up on the sofa with his Grandpa and watch movie trailers on the iPad.

7. He gets attached. Aidan unconditionally loves everything. Even our sectional sofa that we sold on Craigslist. He balled like a baby when the buyers came to get it.

There are so many more things we love about our first born. He made us parents. He brought us closer. He's brought so much joy in to our lives it's immeasurable. We are grateful for Aidan every day.

Everyone in the world tells you when you are having your second (third, fourth, fifth....) child that you cannot compare one to the other. That's always an obvious piece of unsolicited advice people give you but it is so true. Especially in the case of my boys.

When Aidan was born I am convinced God had mercy on me. I was a new, young Mom and that baby was an angel. Sure we ran in to our fair share of issues. He didn't like to sleep in his crib at first, he had a terrible latch ( I honestly can't think of anything else) but there were quick solutions. He slept in his swing in our room for three months and I bought a nipple shield. Those were our biggest worries with Aidan as a baby. And each year it got better. He loved the car, we never had to baby proof, he liked to travel, he was a typical boy but a good listener, I can't think of a time he threw a tantrum. He was/is an absolute joy. We have our days but overall he made me think I could keep having kids until the end of time if they were all like him. He's the best snuggler too. The best!

Then Kellan came along. And don't get me wrong. He's a joy too. He makes more people smile in a day than you could ever imagine. My heart explodes every morning when I get him up and I miss him so much when I put him to bed at night that I actually wake him up most nights to hold him longer. BUT...the child should be the picture under the definition of boy in the dictionary. In the South we like to say "he's a HOT MESS".

Kellan's day in a nutshell looks like this:

WAKE UP

Roll back and forth on the changing table while Mom and/or Dad try to change his diaper/get him dressed, fights his way to the floor to take off to look for Aidan.

Resembles a tornado while standing in Aidan's room.

Every object that Aidan owns goes out of the bins, baskets, buckets over his shoulder and on to the ground. He laughs while Aidan sighs.

Accepts his breakfast only in a standing up position. Will not sit in a high chair. Periodically eats if you are willing to chase him around with food on a fork.

Continues in to the Master Bedroom where he clears off the nightstands and pulls all the blankets to the floor.

Next up, Living Room.

All toys out of the basket, over the shoulder on to the floor. Climbs sofa removes everything on console table in to the back of the sofa cushions.

Off the sofa out to the Laundry Room. Eats cat and or dog food, opens washer and dryer and tries (sometimes succeeds) to get in one or the other.

Two hours have finally passed and he can take a nap. Talks himself to sleep while untying all of the bumpers on his crib, Sleeps 2-4 hours and wakes Happy as a Clam.

Same routine as the morning. Wrestles us on the changing table. Once his diaper is on he all but jumps to the floor.

Aidan, Aidan, Aidan. WHERE IS HE??? Looks in every room. Found um!

Repeats entire routine of trashing every room in the house except this time he's going to play with every electrical outlet he can get near and pull a lamp or two off of a table. That's a NEW hobby.

Sees Daddy watering the grass. Stands at front door and SCREAMS BLOODY MURDER until his father sees him. * A laugh would do the trick too but noooo....must scream.*

Daddy opens the front door, he rolls out. Screaming again, now from injury due to not wanting to wait for anyone to help him down the front steps.

On a mission to run right over to the neighbors house and right up their wheelchair ramp. Every time. We go get him, he goes right back.

Adam and I stupidly think it sounds like a brilliant idea to take the brothers for a milkshake. Aidan skips to the car with a smile on his face, Kellan wants to wrestle to the ground.

Screaming in car seat. Calms down but don't make eye contact. That makes him scream.

Get milkshakes. Wants to hold the 5lb chocolate milkshake by himself. Not happening. SCREAMING.

Back home. Probably tries to break the house key off in the lock.

Put him in his crib (door open) for some quiet time while we make dinner.

Unsuccessfully tries to climb out of the crib or up the wall. We are watching from the kitchen.

However! he does squeeze his chubby little wrist through his crib slat and reaches as far as he can to stick his fingers in the outlet behind his crib. OF COURSE.

Dinner is ready and we're chasing him.

Bath time. Tries to take his life several times by drowning. Gives Aidan and his parents a heart attack.

Laughs while we are still crying and empties bath tub on to the bath mat with shampoo cup.

Wrestling again on changing table.

Pumps half the bottle of lotion on to the area rug while I turn to look for PJ's in drawer.

Put him to bed.

Talks, unties bumpers, bangs his bottle on wall then throws it, squeezes chubby wrist through slats to try to electrocute himself real quick and then finally passes out.

There is no other way to say this. He wears our asses out. But he's soooooo CUTE!!!!
And we really are having the best time with him! He couldn't be more different than Aidan but we love them both the way they are. Kellan is busy, busy, busy.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

There is so much less pressure doing 3 month posts instead of monthly.

I don't care what anyone says...15 months old still makes you my BABY!

You are the happiest baby.

You have 8 teeth now. 4 on top right in the front and then your two front teeth and two molars! You have the best time trying out new foods.

You have had a few ear infections the past couple of months but you never make a peep! I only knew you had them because when you woke up in the morning you had gunk on your eye.

You are walking like crazy! Daddy took you to the park with some other Dad's and babies this evening and when I stopped by to say "hi" I was so surprised at how well you were getting around. You almost hate to be held now because you want to be on the move 24/7.

You are still crazy about Aidan. He is so patient with you and loves to share his toys. You two go in to his room and play quietly for hours. I have to check on you to make sure something hasn't happened. But there you guys are, waist deep in a bin of Lego's. Aidan creating ships and robots and whatever else he makes with those things and you taking fist fulls and tossing them on the floor. It keeps you happy.

You said "Mama" and "Dada" pretty clearly but you actually look at Daddy and say "Dada". It's basically the cutest thing ever. He is your favorite. If I'm holding you and Daddy walks by, you all buy leap out of my arms.

I tried to teach you baby sign language like I did with Aidan but you basically said you didn't have time for that and just whined until I gave you what you wanted. You are pretty vocal so it all works out.

You are getting better about your sippy cup. It's not your favorite but you will take it. You also don't ever want to drink anything but milk. We've tried just about everything but there is no sign of you giving that up several times a day.

Your little personality is coming out so much. If Grandpa hadn't already gifted Aidan with the nickname "Hap" (short for Happy), you would definitely get it. You love to talk to people but you are shy at the same time. If someone new comes up to see you, you rest your head on my shoulder with the biggest smile. It's perfect.

You play Peek A Boo with us all the time now. You pull your blanket up over your head, wait a few seconds and the pull the blanket down with the biggest toothy smile.

You had your first hair cut! You were so good. Aidan sat in the chair next to you and had his hair cut at the same time. I think you were so excited to be doing the same thing as him.

You love your uncles. Uncle Bobby came by one day last week and I let him wake you up and get your out of your crib. You looked at him funny for a second and then went CRAZY. You were so excited to see him. You are the same way with Jordan.

You are crazy about Nana and Grandpa too. Anytime we are at their house, you whine until I put you down and then you walk right over to Grandpa and put your hands up for him to hold you. He kisses you on the side of your neck under your chin and you giggle so hard. If he sits down, Aidan crawls right up next to him and you sit on his lap. When you see Nana you get the biggest smile. She feeds you and feeds you and feeds you so she is one of your favorites. I think she's one of the only people you actually kiss. Daddy and I always comment on how lucky you and Aidan are to have such wonderful Grandparents in them. They love you so much!

We are still so smitten with you every day. Daddy, Aidan and I comment about how perfect you have been for our little family. God knew what he was doing. You tear apart everything in this house and we just laugh at how cute you are. Throwing toys over your shoulder and destroying everything in your path and it just makes us love you more and more everyday.

Happy 15 Months baby boy!

Reuniting with Aidan after you two had been apart for the day.

Mommy smooching you. This was followed by tears because I like to smother you.﻿

A rare moment where you sat still.

Walking in the park. ﻿

This was when you walked right up to Aidan and threw yourself in his arms. You love your brother.﻿

Testing our your new Freshly Picked moccasins. ﻿

Goldfish crackers for a snack in the car. It would be too much to ask you to just eat the fish. You have to play with all your food. ﻿

So curious.﻿

Swing! You aren't a huge fan. ﻿

Checking on your big brother when he wasn't feeling well. It was crazy how in tune you were to him not feeling well and how concerned you were. You wouldn't leave him alone.﻿

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Playing on Aidan's floor before he gets home from school. ﻿

Same. Just an even cuter picture. ﻿

French fry eating.﻿

Car seat snuggles. Everything you do is just so sweet, I take pictures of the most mundane things!﻿

Ok, So not always happy...

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Another very rare moment sitting still watching cartoons with your big brother. This never happens. We didn't think you even knew about the TV. ﻿

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

If I had a dollar for every time I've apologized for neglecting this blog...I would literally be a few dollars richer than I am now. I apologize here, I tell people in person when they ask me why I'm not keeping up and I say it to myself over and over in my head.

The truth is, I made a New Years resolution this year. I never do that. But I needed some time away from my computer and phone. My kids and my husband needed more face time. And they deserve it. So I've been taking a break. It's been good. I'm nervous I'm not documenting our time enough here but the real time memories we are making have been some of the very best.

But I want to catch up.

So try not to be bored to tears when you are reading posts from life events that happened months ago.

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Hubs & Wife

I'm April. I'm wife to super{hot}husband, Adam. We made a little miracle and named him Aidan. This December we are adding to our family! We're excited to meet our newest little man! This is the story of our life and how we're living happily ever after to tell you all about it! Thanks for stopping by!